Azure Data & AI Architect/Consultant

Bench IT require an experienced Azure Data & AI Architect/Consultant to join a well respected Microsoft Consulting partner starting ASAP. The successful Architect/Consultant will be giving customers guidance and confidence in their journeys, helping organisations understand that the business value of the tech and remaining hands on with regards to solutioning as well as implementation., * Demonstrable experience designing modern data platforms supporting analytics, reporting, machine learning and AI workloads.

• Strong understanding of data architecture, data modelling, master data management, governance and data lifecycle management.
• Experience implementing scalable and secure data solutions capable of supporting advanced analytics and AI-enabled business outcomes.
• Understanding of emerging AI technologies and their practical application within enterprise environments.
• Advise customers on data governance and AI adoption, including ownership, quality, lineage, privacy, responsible AI controls, data readiness assessments and operationalisation.

Core Technical Experience

• Microsoft Fabric and/or Azure Databricks
• Azure data platform architecture
• Modern data platform design and delivery
• Customer-facing consulting and advisory services

Azure Data Technology

• Azure Data Factory
• Azure Data Lake Storage
• Azure Synapse Analytics
• Azure Data Explorer
• Microsoft Purview
• Power BI
• Azure SQL and SQL Server platforms
• Data integration and ETL/ELT design
• Data warehousing methodologies
• Medallion architecture and modern Lakehouse design
• Data modelling and information architecture

Azure AI and Modern Data Solutions

• Azure AI Services
• Microsoft Foundry
• Azure OpenAI Service
• Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures
• AI-ready data platform design
• Intelligent document processing and knowledge discovery
• Responsible AI and AI governance principles

• Proven experience leading customer workshops, discovery sessions and strategic advisory engagements.
• Ability to translate business objectives into practical Data and AI roadmaps and technical solutions.
• Strong consulting skills with the ability to influence decisions, challenge assumptions and guide customers through technology transformation initiatives.

Solution Architecture

• Significant experience architecting and delivering modern Azure-based Data and AI platforms.
• Experience leading complex transformation programmes from strategy and design through to implementation and operational handover.
• Ability to provide technical leadership across multiple projects whilst ensuring consistent quality and delivery excellence.